January 15, 2018 Posted By: John GrechInitiativesComments are off for this post

Conference title: Breaking barriers – Contemporary use, models and allocation of ISBN across the world. The National Book Council, in collaboration with Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies and Logos, will be hosting an open conference with a list of speakers on the subject of the ISBN. Librarians, academics, ISBN...

December 1, 2017 Posted By: John GrechInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council is launching a new translation project of national importance – the publication of a selection of poems by Dun Karm Psaila, translated into English. The project has been entrusted to the NBC by the government with the aim of ensuring that the poetry of...

June 16, 2017 Posted By: John GrechFestivalComments are off for this post

The National Book Council announces it has prepared a treat for all book lovers this Summer: the Summer Book Festival – Gozo, a two-day event packed with cultural activities as well as a book fair. It will take place in Gozo on 14 and 15 July at Sir M. A....

April 28, 2017 Posted By: John GrechInitiativesComments are off for this post

In the presence of the Headmaster of the Dingli Primary School, Ms. Elisabeth Galea, St Nicholas College Principal Ms. Maria Camilleri, and several teachers from the school, the National Book Council’s Counsellor Mr. Charles Calleja and Cultural Events Organiser Ms. Simona Cassano donated a considerable amount of books to St...

April 24, 2017 Posted By: John GrechInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council this week will be celebrating World Book and Copyright Day in a number of events which aim to increase the public’s awareness of the local book culture and to promote the book as a means of intellectual empowerment. On Thursday 27th April, the National Book Council...

April 18, 2017 Posted By: John GrechFestivalComments are off for this post

The National Book Council is issuing a call for artists to submit artwork for a Literary Art Contest, in which competitors will be asked to create a work of art based on a Maltese literary text of their own choice. A total of ten artworks will be chosen by an...

March 22, 2017 Posted By: John GrechBook PrizeImageComments are off for this post

This year’s highlight for Malta at the London Book Fair was Walid Nabhan with his novel “L-Eżodu taċ-Ċikonji”, originally published in Maltese by Klabb Kotba Maltin. A profoundly unsettling but moving tale of Nabil, a Palestinian refugee caught up in the various dilemmas of the here-and-there and the then-and-now, the...

March 14, 2017 Posted By: John GrechFestivalComments are off for this post

The National Book Council would like to announce that during the London Book Fair 2017, which is taking place in London Olympia on 14, 15 and 16 March, poetry seminars have been prepared on the Poetry Pavilion. Poetry readings by Maltese performer Sarah Naudi have been scheduled from 11:30 am on...

February 17, 2017 Posted By: Maria MuscatInitiativesComments are off for this post

The prize-giving ceremony for the Literary Contest ‘Novels for Youth’ 2016, set up by the National Book Council in collaboration with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, will take place at ‘Youth Village’ Aġenzija Żgħażagħ at 6:30 in the evening on the 3rd of March 2017 and will be presided over by the Hon....

February 15, 2017 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

On 18th March, at Librebook-Bruxelles, a literary cafe in Brussels, two well-known and prize-winning authors will take part in an event set up by the National Book Council on occasion of Malta’s EU presidency. The event starts at 14:00 hours with Clare Azzopardi, who will be reading excerpts from her...

February 14, 2017 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

On 17th March, at Librebook – Bruxelles, a literary cafe in Brussels, two well-known and prize-winning authors will appear in an event set up by the National Book Council on occasion of Malta’s EU presidency. The event starts at 18:00 hours with Loranne Vella, who will read excerpts from her...

December 26, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

In the spirit of the festive season, The National Book Council would like to express its greetings to the public by making a gift of its ISBN database which has been modified as open data. The database, which is hosted on the Council’s website, now allows users to create and...

December 20, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilBook PrizeComments are off for this post

Between Dec 7th and 10th, the Arts Council Malta in NY in association with the National Book Council (Malta) presented leading contemporary Maltese poet and novelist Immanuel Mifsud, winner of the European Union Prize for Literature (2011) and both the Malta National Award for Prose (2002, 2015) and for Poetry...

November 22, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilFestivalComments are off for this post

Below please find the Winners of the ‘MONS’ AMANTE BUONTEMPO’ Poetry Contest 2016 as announced in an official ceremony on the 11th of November 2016, in Temi Zammit Hall, Mediterranean Conference Centre Valletta during the Malta Book Festival 2016: FIRST PRIZE – Louis Briffa with his poem ‘Falco Peregrinus’ SECOND PRIZE – Paul...

September 23, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilFestivalComments are off for this post

The National Book Council would like to invite all schools in Malta and Gozo to attend the Malta Book Festival 2016 which will be held from Wednesday 9th till Sunday 13th November 2016 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) Valletta. The Malta Book Festival is the most prestigious event related...

August 4, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council would like to announce that the seventh PLR (Public Lending Rights) payment is being distributed to authors, illustrators and photographers whose books were borrowed from Public Libraries in Malta and Gozo in the period covering the 1st of April 2016 till the 30th June, 2016. The...

July 26, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilFestivalComments are off for this post

Malta Book Festival 2016 9-13 NOV – MCC Call for Exhibitors This is an open call for proposals for an exhibition on book-binding to be featured in the 2016 edition of the Malta Book Festival. The exhibition, which is expected to be put up and ready by 8th November, is...

July 11, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The Maltese Poets Association, in collaboration with the National Book Council, is launching the National Poetry Competition Mons. Amante Buontempo 2016 Those wishing to take part are requested to submit up to three poems, each one no longer than thirty lines, in Maltese. The poems must be type-written on A4...

June 1, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council would like to announce that the database containing all local books published under an ISBN has just been finalised. This database may be accessed free of charge from the NBC’s website. The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique number allocated to every book in...

May 7, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

On Saturday the 7th of May, the National Book Council organised a small reception for everyone involved in the making of Beyond a Satin Sea and Tangerine Sky – two exciting collections bringing together translated selections of poetry and prose excerpts by the recipients of the National Book Prize for...

April 23, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

As part of the celebrations for World Book Day 2016, the National Book Council together with St. Michael’s Secondary School (Santa Venera) have organised two meet-the-author sessions for the students of said school. The authors Leanne Ellul and Walid Nabhan spoke of their literary journey and encouraged the students to...

April 20, 2016 Posted By: Maria MuscatInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council has just returned from The London Book Fair 2016 where, for the second time running, it set up a prominently located stand with a wide range of Melitensia including National Book Prize winners’ books alongside the latest prose publications and quality reference books by Maltese publishing houses....

Yesterday the 7th of April marked the end of the Book Festival on Campus 2016 – three days of book sales alongside a full literary programme of events organised by the National Book Council and Għaqda tal-Malti – Universitá as well as publishers exhibiting in the festival and various University-based...

March 29, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council, together with Malta Libraries and the Central Public Library set up a Pop-Up library at CRICKIDS Festival this Easter weekend at tal-Virtu’ in Rabat. The NBC disseminated booklets about the improtance of reading to the young and Malta Libraries enrolled several new library members of all...

The Għaqda tal-Malti – Università and the National Book Council are organising the third edition of the University Book Festival, known better as the Campus Book Fest. The Festival will take place from the 5th to the 7th of April – opening from 9:00 till 14:00 and from 16:00 till...

March 14, 2016 Posted By: Maria MuscatInitiativesComments are off for this post

In the 16th edition of the Salon du livre et des cultures du Luxembourg and the 33rd of the Festival des migrations, des cultures et de la citoyenneté, which took place in the LuxExpo, Kirchberg on the 12th and 13th of March, the Maltese book was given pride of place....

March 2, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

Tomorrow, the 3rd of March, the UK will be celebrating World Book Day. World Book Day as recognised by UNESCO will be celebrated around the world on the 23rd of April, and therefore the National Book Council would like to take this opportunity to share its message in favour of...

February 26, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council would like to inform the general public that it has just published the Maltese translation of the sixth edition of the ISBN Users’ Manual entitled ‘Manwal għall-Utenti tal-ISBN’. This manual is an important tool which explains the way in which the ISBN of every publication, be...

February 12, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the National Book Council would like to announce that the winners of Konkors ta’ Kitba Letteratura għaż-Żgħażagħ 2015 are Rita Saliba with her manuscript entitled ‘Il-kulur tal-lellux’ and Roberta Bajada with ‘Termini u Kundizzjonijiet Japplikaw’. The awards ceremony was held on Thursday the 11th of February, 2016...

February 11, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilFilmComments are off for this post

The National Book Council (NBC) together with the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) would like to announce that the application period for the NBC PBS Short Film Contest is open as of today the 11th of February, 2016. This is a contest open to film-making teams making 15-20 minute short films...

January 27, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilBook PrizeComments are off for this post

The National Book Council is happy to present its comprehensive Annual Report for 2015 – a year of several successful firsts, a year full of hard work by a small yet growing team, a year marked by several collaborations, but more importantly, a year dedicated entirely to the promotion of...

January 26, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council would like to announce that the fifth PLR (Public Lending Rights) payment is being distributed to authors, illustrators and photographers whose books were borrowed from Public Libraries in Malta and Gozo in the period covering the 1st of October 2015 till the 31st December, 2015. The...

January 19, 2016 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

At the moment, the National Book Council (NBC) is consulting authors and publishers as part of a process that will lead to the drafting of National Book Council legislation. The NBC, which falls under the Ministry of Education, was created in 2001 to co-ordinate institutional services relating to books such...

December 21, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

Annual Christmas Book Donation to Central Public Library including latest Maltese publications, National Book Prize Winning and Shortlisted books together with a selection of French and Italian titles to be disseminated in libraries across the island in the coming days. The National Book Council wishes you all the best for...

December 16, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

Reading and more from ‘GRAMMA’ by Leanne Ellul Winner of the ‘Konkors ta’ Kitba – Letteratura għaż-Żgħażagħ 2014′ organised by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the National Book Council. Published by Merlin Publishers. Saturday 12th December 2015 Central Public Library Floriana This event was organised as part of the programme of events...

November 13, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilFundComments are off for this post

The Creative Europe Desk Malta (CED Malta) is proud to present this publication (click here: intranslation ) focusing on the funds and opportunities available to those involved in the Literary Translation sphere. The conference which it accompanies – In Translation – was specifically organised to acknowledge the growth in the sector...

October 3, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

‘This Fair Land’ – Maltese in London/Il-Malti f’Londra is an event organised by the National Book Council in collaboration with Francis Boutle Publishers to celebrate and promote Maltese literature in London with readings from ‘This Fair Land: An Anthology of Maltese Literature’ edited by Charles Briffa with a foreword by...

October 3, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

‘X’Aħna Smart!’ – an activity organised by the National Book Council in collaboration with Malta Libraries on Saturday 3rd October at the Central Public Library, Floriana. Stephen Lughermo, the writer of ‘X’Aħna Smart!’ (Winner of the Literary Contest of Novels for Youth 2014 organised by the National Book Council and...

August 3, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

On Saturday the 1st of August, 2015, the National Book Council, in collaboration with Malta Libraries, invited children of ages ranging from 4 to 7 together with their parents to an educational reading session with Louise Sammut, the author of the local publication “Stedina għal Sabrina” at the Central Public...

July 22, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council was responsible for curating the literary section of the ‘Spins and Spells’ Malta Arts Festival event on the 21st of July, 2015 at Auberge d’Italie, Valletta where a selection of poetry by young upcoming poets Leanne Ellul, Kit Azzopardi, Marie Gion and Clifford Jo Zahra was...

June 10, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The Soċjetà Mużikali Madonna tal-Ġilju, Imqabba organized a Press Conference in order to launch a catalogue of articles about the local feast, published by the same band club; a work amassed by Prof. Horace Ceaser Roger Vella, as well as this year’s edition of the annual feast publication which, for...

June 10, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

Today, the 10th of June, 2015, another substantial book donation from the National Book Council was presented to Maltese Public Libraries in the presence of the NBC’s Secretary, Mr. Joe Debattista and Ms. Cheryl Falzon, representing the Central Public Library, Floriana. These books, a selection of the finest titles from...

May 12, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilFundComments are off for this post

The Hon. Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment; Permanent Secretary, Mr. Joseph Caruana and Mr. Mark Camilleri, Executive Chairman of the National Book Council have just launched the Malta Book Fund in a press conference which took place in the Board Room of the Ministry of Education. The Malta...

The National Book Council and Għaqda tal-Malti – Università are organizing the second edition of the Campus Book Festival which will take place on the 5-6-7 of May 2015. Opening hours: 09:00 – 15:00 u 19:00 – 21:30. This festival offers a platform for Maltese publishers and distributors to promote...

April 28, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council is proud to announce its collaboration with the National Literacy Agency which forms part of the Ministry for Education and Employment on its ‘Aqra kemm tiflaħ’ programme targeting the first years of primary education. For the first phase of the programme, the NBC has spent around...

April 21, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

As part of the celebrations organized locally for World Book Day 2015, author Guy Bass carried out animated readings and book-signing with students from St. Theresa College Middle School in Birkirkara – this was a National Book Council and Merlin Library collaboration. .

April 14, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council was in London for the London Book Fair 2015 in order to promote Maltese books and the Maltese book market in general with foreign publishers and related entities. The London Book Fair is an international fair which brings together all the big names in the global...

April 9, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilBook PrizeComments are off for this post

The National Book Council has just presented the Central Public Library with its annual donation of National Book Prize winning books. The NBC encourages the general public to pay regular visits and make better use of public libraries which are being regularly replenished with quality titles. Make sure you also...

April 8, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council would like to announce that it will be issuing the second Public Lending Rights payment to those authors, illustrators and photographers whose books were borrowed from Public Libraries in Malta and Gozo fro 9th December, 2014 till the 31st of March, 2015. Below please find the...

March 30, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilFilmComments are off for this post

Public Broadcasting Services and the National Book Council are seeking 3 MCAST students from the MCAST institute of Art and Design specializing in Creative Media Production to work as paid-interns on the set of a short-film based on a locally published story. The short-film will be produced during Summer 2015...

March 20, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council has just donated a considerable amount of publications in French to the ‘Centre Franco-Maltais’. Ms. Doreen Farrugia (Education Officer – French) appected the donation on behalf of the French Resoure Centre at the Junior College in Msida during a short ceremony with Mr. Mark Camilleri (Executive...

March 5, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

Come join us at the Central Public Library, Floriana! Today the National Book Council is celebrating World Book Day by donating more and more books to CPL. Ms. Cheryl Falzon (Deputy Librarian, Malta Libraries) and Mr. Joe Debattista (Secretary, NBC) were present for the occasion. So, browse through our photos...

February 23, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council has just presented €5,000 worth of books in an official book donation to Marsa Primary School, San Ġorġ Preca College. The majority of the books donated will be used as readers in the classroom, however the rest will be made available for students to borrow from...

February 18, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

Today, Wednesday the 18th of February 2015, the National Book Council together with Horizons managing director David Bezzina, presented the library of the Corrective Facility in Kordin with a substantial book donation. The NBC believes that every sector in society is entitled to have access to books and libraries,...

February 9, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The Floriana Primary School Headmaster Mr. Stephen Miceli together with teachers and staff from the school and San Ġorġ Preca College Principal Mr. James Camilleri hosted National Book Council representatives for a short ceremony to mark today’s book donation to the school. The NBC executive chairman Mr. Mark Camilleri opened...

February 2, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilFilmComments are off for this post

In a press conference held on Monday, 2nd February, 2015 at the PBS headquarters in Gwardamangia, the Executive Chairman of the National Book Council (NBC), Mr. Mark Camilleri together with PBS Chairman, Mr. Tonio Portughese signed the memorandum of agreement to launch the Short Film Contest – a collaborative project...

January 21, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council (NBC) would like to announce that today, payments to Maltese authors according to the Public Lending Rights scheme have been issued for the first time ever. Said remuneration has been made possible following an extensive consultation process and a carefully formulated political and administrative plan to...

January 19, 2015 Posted By: National Book CouncilFestivalComments are off for this post

The National Book Council is now on Youtube… Click and Share our channel >> National Book Council MALTA As part of the NBC’s strategy to promote books and reading in Malta, the NBC in collaboration with ONE TV Complex and Shadeena had premiered this short film based on ‘Laqgħa ma’ Mara...

December 23, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council in collaboration with the staff at the Central Public Library hosted a group of young children from Agenzija Appoġġ’s Qawra Community Service to a reading activity in the Junior Section of the Central Public Library – Malta. A reading was followed by a Q&A and book-signing...

December 17, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

In the presence of the Headmaster Mr. Bernard Riolo, the San Ġorġ Preca College Principal Mr. James Camilleri and several teachers from the school, the National Book Council’s executive chairman Mr. Mark Camilleri and secretary Mr. Joseph Debattista donated a considerable amount of books toValletta Primary School. The short ceremony...

December 11, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council has just donated €7,000 worth of books to the Central Public Library in Floriana during the activities of Library Day. The books, mostly Melitensia publications, will be divided between public libraries across Malta and Gozo very soon. Present for the donation were Ms. Cheryl Falzon representing...

October 6, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council has just donated a substantial amount of books to St. Margaret’s College in a short ceremony held in the Cospicua Primary School library attended by the respective Heads of Schools, the College Principal Ms. Maria McNamara and the Hon. Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation,...

September 27, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

On Saturday, 27th September, the European Commission Representation in Malta celebrated the European Day of Languages at Bay Street, St Julian’s. For the second consecutive year, the Għaqda tal-Malti – Università was responsible for its organization. Activities started at 10am and ended at 6pm. Stands pertaining to different...

August 25, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The National Book Council would like to announce that the deadline for submission of applications is over Please click on the link below to access a version of the amended criteria and regulations for 2014: Criteria and Regulations 2014 .

August 22, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

Following the positive reviews that emergent poets received following their participation in the Malta Arts Festival in mid-July, the National Book Council invited a number of other young poets and writers to present their work to an altogether new public. Thanks to the Gudja Local Council, Demelsa Grech in...

July 16, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

The ‘emerging artists’ series of the Malta Arts Festival of 2013 presented an interdisciplinary showcase of music and literature. The collaboration took the shape of two concerts: one concert of classical music by young percussionist Luke Baldacchino and another by Nadine Galea on violin and Riyad Nicolas on piano –...

June 23, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

On the 23rd of June, 2014, a substantial list of books ranging from classic novels to academic texts and melitensia was donated to Ms. Cheryl Falzon, deputy librarian for Malta Libraries by Mr. Mark Camilleri, Executive Chairman of the National Book Council (Malta) All books will be available...

May 22, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

On Thursday the 22nd of May, 2014, during a small ceremony at the Central Public Library, the National Book Council together with Mr. Joseph Mizzi (Managing Director of Klabb Kotba Maltin and Midsea Books Publications) and Mr. Edwin Catania ( Director of Nemo Publications) presented Ms. Askya Pizzuto with...

watch the whole interview here: Hani Shukrallah interviewed by Karl Schembri at the Book Festival on Campus. 30th April 2014. Every revolution is messy Hani Shukrallah, author of Egypt, the Arabs and the World, was the main guest at the first Book Festival on Campus Egypt celebrated...

The Għaqda tal-Malti – Università in collaboration with the National Book Council have organized the first edition of the Book Festival on Campus. The Festival, held between the 28th and 30th of April kicked off daily at 9:00, till 15:00. Some of the activities were also held after 19.00. ...

April 23, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

As part of our ‘World Book Day’ celebrations, on the 23rd of April, Mr. Mark Camilleri (Executive Chairman of the National Book Council), presented Mr. Oliver Mamo – CEO of Malta Libraries with a considerable donation of books. The donated publications, to be distributed across Malta via several...

April 14, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

This morning, the National Book Council was invited to hold a talk and Q&A session about the importance of reading, to parents of children up to the age of 8 who attend Mosta Primary School A. This was one of several events to be organized during ‘Book Week’; an initiative...

April 9, 2014 Posted By: National Book CouncilInitiativesComments are off for this post

In yesterday’s charming ceremony organized by Gżira Primary School, the National Book Council donated the same school a considerable amount of books for all ages. An animated reading session to school children by Mr. Joseph Galea followed the presentation of the books. Also present for the occasion was the Minister...